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"And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"Daniel 2:21
God is Not A Respector of Persons
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."First, I'd like to establish that God is not a respecter of persons. No matter how wealthy, or how poor a person is, no matter how high a worldly position a person has, or how low, God does not respect any above anyone other. As Peter said. "But in every nation, he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness is accepted with Him."
The very first King of Israel was King Saul. God appointed him because he was the kind of leader that the people wanted. Let's see what the scriptures have to say about this.
Up to this point in Israel, God had been their leader, but the people wanted a leader like other nations.
"Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD." 1 Samuel 8:4-6
Samuel was very unhappy with their request. I mean, what better protection and safety could a country be under than to have God Himself leading it and judging it?
"And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."1 Samuel 8:7
How heartbreaking is that? God gave them what they wanted and told Samuel listen to them in all they say, "they have not rejected you, they've rejected ME, that I should reign over them."
So God gave them a King of their choosing.
"According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and show them the manner of the king that shall reign over them."1 Samuel 8:8-9
See how God pointed out how they had been unfaithful to Him? He tells Samuel to speak to them, "solemnly."
"And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work."1 Samuel 8:11-12
God gave them Saul for a King just as they wanted. David was God's first chosen Isreali King. Even though Saul was not God's choice, but the people wanted a king over them, they got a king after their own hearts.
Scriptures Tell Us That God raises Kings of all Nations.
God raised up the king of Egypt.
"For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth."Romans 9:17
God raised up Cyrus:
"I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts."Isaiah 45:13
Cyrus was not a Jewish man, neither was Pharoah...
God raises up people for HIS purposes and He brings them low for His purposes. God can use anyone, and His word shows that He does and has.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:"Ecclesiastes 3:1
"For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."Psalms 75:6-7
In the first example cited in this article regarding King Saul, God gave the people the desires of their own hearts in making Saul king over them.
Each of our hearts desires are as important as the words that we speak as well as our actions. Why?
Psalms 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Psalms 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psalms 34:14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psalms 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
Psalms 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Psalms 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Psalms 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Psalms 51:6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Psalms 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
Psalms 140:8 Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah.
Psalms 145:16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
Psalms 145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
Proverbs 10:24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
September 29 - 2017